Delta del Ebro. 26/03/93; Cataluña; 7,736 ha; 40°43'N 000°44'E. Special Protection Area EC Directive; Natural Park, Natural Reserve, National Hunting Refuge, Hunting Refuge. A fluvial delta, including shallow coastal waters, beaches, dunes, saline lagoons, salinas, freshwater marshes, and freshwater pools fed by groundwater springs. The delta's flood regime is regulated artificially to promote rice cultivation. Shallow water areas are extremely important as spawning and nursery areas for many species of commercially valuable fish and support outstanding mollusc, shrimp and endemic fish populations. The site supports internationally important numbers of numerous species of waterbirds. Up to 30,000 pairs of waterbirds nest, and 180,000 individuals winter at the site annually. Human activities include hunting, fishing, shellfish harvesting, tourism, agriculture, and limited aquaculture and livestock rearing. Subject of a Ramsar Advisory Mission in 2000. Ramsar site no. 593. Most recent RIS information: 1999.